Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.

Abstract: A spine stabilization system having a base plate having a plurality of screw holes and a plurality of corresponding screw locking mechanisms. The present invention also provides an extension plate having a plurality of screw holes and corresponding screw locking mechanisms. The extension plate is dimensioned and configured with an extension portion, the extension portion having a screw hole and a screw locking mechanism and a finger portion having a connection element and to couple with the base plate. The base plate is provided a graft window having edges, wherein at least one of the edges being configured to receive and connect with the connection element.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bone plate for stabilizing bony structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to bone plates having an elongate body to which an integrated rod is formed. Integrated rod portion may be captured by a bone anchor with a receiving member. The bone plate is movable from a first position to a second position and may have an aperture for lagging the bone plate to the bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bone plate for stabilizing bony structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to bone plates having an elongate body to which an integrated rod is formed. Integrated rod portion may be captured by a bone anchor with a receiving member. The bone plate is movable from a first position to a second position and may have an aperture for lagging the bone plate to the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the profile of a bone fixation plate while, preventing backing out of screws is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one section of relief and sections of engagement. The plate has at least two openings though which two screws can pass through bony tissue. As the screw is tightened, it will begin to lag the plate to the bone. When the screw head interferes with the plate at the interference point, there is a slight resistance that insertion forces can overcome. When the screw is advanced further, it snaps into the sliding fit area and is allowed to move freely. The forces that cause the screw to back out from the plate are preferably not strong enough to pass the screw head back past the interference section. It may be desirable to include a set screw to help prevent backout.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the profile of a bone fixation plate while preventing backing out of screws is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one section of relief and sections of engagement. The plate has at least two openings though which two screws can pass through bony tissue. As the screw is tightened, it will begin to lag the plate to the bone. When the screw head interferes with the plate at the interference point, there is a slight resistance that insertion forces can overcome. When the screw is advanced further, it snaps into the sliding fit area and is allowed to move freely. The forces that cause the screw to back out from the plate are preferably not strong enough to pass the screw head back past the interference section. It may be desirable to include a set screw to help prevent backout.

Abstract: There is disclosed an interspinous attachment system for providing support between adjacent spinal levels. In an embodiment, an interspinous attachment system provides support between adjacent spinal levels and includes a crosslink, a first crosslink connector and a second crosslink connector each selectively attachable to spinal fixation rods, and an interspinous attachment device having a crosslink attachment portion and a spinous process attachment portion. In another embodiment, there is provided a method of attaching a crosslink to a pair of spinal fixation rods. The method includes tightening a set screw in a housing of each of the crosslink connectors to engage a crosslink, rotate the crosslink connectors with the set screw tightening, and engage the rods with the cross link through the rotation, wherein the tightening the set screw fixedly connects the ends of the crosslink and the rods together.

Abstract: A spine stabilization system having a base plate having a plurality of screw holes and a plurality of corresponding screw locking mechanisms. The present invention also provides an extension plate having a plurality of screw holes and corresponding screw locking mechanisms. The extension plate is dimensioned and configured with an extension portion, the extension portion having a screw hole and a screw locking mechanism and a finger portion having a connection element and to couple with the base plate. The base plate is provided a graft window having edges, wherein at least one of the edges being configured to receive and connect with the connection element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bone plate for stabilizing bony structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to bone plates having an elongate body to which an integrated rod is formed. Integrated rod portion may be captured by a bone anchor with a receiving member. The bone plate is movable from a first position to a second position and may have an aperture for lagging the bone plate to the bone.

Abstract: A facet joint prosthesis comprising an inferior prosthetic portion and a superior prosthetic portion is disclosed. Inferior prosthetic portion includes a first anchor member and a first articulating member and superior prosthetic portion includes a second anchor member and a second articulating member. The first articulating member comprises a support portion and first articulating surface and the second articulating member comprises a second articulating surface, and first and second articulating surfaces are configured and dimensioned to contact or engage one another. A flexible element is positioned between the support portion and the first articulating surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sequential dilator for use in surgery and a method for using the sequential dilator. The sequential dilator may have a bullet-shaped dilator and a plurality of dilator tubes with a removable handle. The method may include inserting a guide wire through an incision into a patient's vertebra and subsequently inserting the bullet-shaped dilator and dilator tubes with tapered ends and of increasing size into the incision to increase the size of the incision. A kit including the components necessary for the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the profile of a bone fixation plate while preventing backing out of screws is disclosed. The plate has at least two openings though which two screws can pass through bony tissue. The apparatus includes at least one section of relief and sections of engagement. As the screw is tightened, it will begin to lag the plate to the bone. When the screw head interferes with the plate at the interference point, there is a slight resistance that insertion forces can overcome. When the screw is advanced further, it snaps into the sliding fit area and is allowed to move freely. The forces that cause the screw to back out from the plate are preferably not strong enough to pass the screw head back past the interference section. At least one of the two openings is configured as an elongated slot to allow the screw to translate in the slot. It may be desirable to include a set screw to help prevent backout.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the profile of a bone fixation plate while preventing backing out of screws is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one section of relief and sections of engagement. The plate has at least two openings though which two screws can pass through bony tissue. As the screw is tightened, it will begin to lag the plate to the bone. When the screw head interferes with the plate at the interference point, there is a slight resistance that insertion forces can overcome. When the screw is advanced further, it snaps into the sliding fit area and is allowed to move freely. The forces that cause the screw to back out from the plate are preferably not strong enough to pass the screw head back past the interference section. It may be desirable to include a set screw to help prevent backout.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for urging a longitudinal spinal member into a top-loading spinal implant. The instrument may comprise a holder assembly having a pair of fingers sized and configured to engage the underside of an edge of the spinal implant, a release assembly, and an actuating member. The release assembly may comprise a tubular member and a pusher member, the tubular member being sized and configured to be slidably disposed within the holder assembly, and the pusher member being sized and configured to slidably surround at least a portion of the holder assembly. Upon movement of the actuating member, the holder assembly and the release assembly are moveable with respect to one another so that the longitudinal spinal rod, which is engaged to the pusher member, is urged into engagement with the rod-receiving channel of the spinal implant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical drill-guide assembly that can be releasably attached to a part of a bone-fixation system, for example, a plate. The surgical drill-guide assembly of the present invention is used for example, to guide a drill, screw, bone fastener, or other instrument or fastener into bone.

Abstract: A fixation system includes a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a central longitudinal axis, at least one fixation hole extending between the top and bottom surfaces and comprising an undercut therein, and at least one passage intersecting one of the undercuts. At least one resilient clip is disposed in at least a portion of the undercut, with the at least one clip having a pair of generally parallel sides and an end tab. At least one fastener is provided and comprises a head and a threaded shaft, with the head comprising a perimetral groove extending around at least a portion thereof and an instrument receiving portion. The at least one clip is configured and dimensioned to seat in the undercut with the end tab extending within the passage, and the at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be received in the at least one fixation hole and securable therein when the at least one clip abuts the perimetral groove of the head.